James Gunn&Peter Safran’s DC Studios will stroll full force onto the comic book movie stage withSuperman, which Gunn is writing & directing. But Clark Kent (David Corenswet) won’t be the only hero on the block, as the Man of Steel will be joined by other heroes, includingEdi Gathegias Michael Holt/Mister Terrific. Image of Mister Terrific recently surfaced online, but before production, Gunn had posted a few images hinting at Holt’s involvement in Chapter One of the new DC film universe, appropriately titled “Gods and Monsters”.Holt not only possesses a unique set of abilities but ties to a number of superhero teams in the DC Universe,which makes him a character ripe with narrative potential.
Mister Terrific Is the Third Smartest Man in the World – and Has the Tech To Prove It
Created byJohn OstranderandTom Mandrake, Michael Holt discovered his immense intelligence at a very young age, as he was able to comprehend the inner workings of theoretical physics. From there, he amassed a staggering 14 P.H.D.s in subjects ranging from chemistry to physics, and even law -earning him the title of “the third-smartest man in the world”.Holt also became an Olympic-level athlete and even founded his own company, which he sold to Bruce Wayne (aka Batman). But Holt’s life was also marked by tragedy: he lost his older brother Jeffery when he was a child, and then his wife and unborn child to a car crash. A devastated Holt considered taking his own life until a chance encounter with Jim Corrigan - the spirit of vengeance known as the Spectre - led him to take a different path.
Corrigan told Holt aboutTerry Sloane, the Golden Age superhero known as Mister Terrific; like Holt, Sloane has a genius-level intellect, including a photographic memory that earned him the name “The Man of 1,000 Talents.“Holt took up Sloane’s mantle, but put his own modern-day twist on it:he has a mask comprised of nanites that can also project holograms, tap into communications systems, and makes him virtually invisible to all forms of electronic detection. Holt also possesses several “T-Spheres” that he uses for various purposes, both offensive and defensive. Holt even studied several forms of martial arts, meaning that he can hold his own in hand-to-hand combat.
Mister Terrific Is a Key Member of Multiple Superhero Teams, Including the Justice Society of America
Holt’s biggest claim to fame was joining themodern-day version of the Justice Society of America,and eventually serving as its chairmanwhen JSA members Hawkman and Sand came to blows over leadership. He’d form friendships with various members of the superhero community, including Black Lightning and Batman. The Dark Knight even recruited Holt as part of a team to stop the malevolent artificial intelligence Brother Eye inInfinite Crisis, as he was invisible to its scanners and could help disable it. Gunn including Mister Terrific inSupermanseems to hint that a version of the Justice Society exists in this DC Universe; Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced) is also a long-standing member of the JSA.
Mister Terrific has also been a member of other superhero teams, most notably The Terrifics. In the comic series launched byJeff LemireandIvan Reis, Holt encounters three other superheroes: the shapeshifting Plastic Man, elemental master Metamorpho, and the Legion of Superheroes' Phantom Girl.Bound together by energy from the Dark Multiverse, the team decides to work together - investigating the multiverse. He also joined the government organization known as Checkmate, whose ranks include Amanda Waller. Once again, a link to both teams exists within DC Studios:Anthony Carriganhas been cast as Metamorpho inSuperman, whileViola Davisis slated to reprise her role as Waller in a standalone series.
Mister Terrific Has Appeared in Other DC Media, Including ‘Arrow’ & ‘Justice League Unlimited’
Supermanisn’t the first time Mister Terrific’s been part of a DC Comics media project.He’s appeared in multiple animated shows, most notablyJustice League Unlimited’s final season. Holt, voiced byMichael Beach, steps up to direct the League’s missions when J’onn J’onzz (Carl Lumbly) departs the team. Terrific would also help the Justice League out in the animated movieJustice League vs. The Fatal Five, which serves as a continuation of the DC Animated Universe. TheInjusticeanimated movie includes Holt in a major role, as opposed to the video game it’s based on. When Superman establishes an authoritarian regime following the death of Lois Lane, Terrific enacts a plan to stop the Man of Steel - building a gateway into the multiverse and pulling forth an alternate version of Superman, as well as Lois, who was pregnant with their child.
DC fans might also recognize Mister Terrific from another popular television show,Arrow.This version of Mister Terrific is called Curtis Holt, and is portrayed byEcho Kellum; Curtis first enters the show when he starts working at Palmer Technologies under Felicity Smoak (Emily Bett Rickards). Curtis would later take up the mantle of Mister Terrific and help Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) throughout the rest of the show’s run, even participating in two of the Arrowverse’s annual crossovers.
Mister Terrific Will Play A Major Role in ‘Superman’
Mister Terrificmakes a brief appearancein theSupermanteaser trailer, where he’s shown using his T-spheres to create a protective sphere to protect himself and Superman from military forces. What leads to this confrontation is unknown, but judging from a moment where someone throws a can at Superman’s head - not to mention set photos showcasingCreature Commandos’sRick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo)hauling the Man of Steel away in chains - it’s safe to say that something will bring Superman and Mister Terrific together. James Gunn also confirmed that of all the other superheroes in the cast, it’sMister Terrific who has the largest role in the film. “They’re supporting cast, but Mr. Terrific is the main character of those characters. He actually has a big part of the plot. And so that was fun,“he told Comic Book Resources. Fans will have to wait untilSupermanhits theaters next summer to see the scope of Mister Terrific’s role.
Supermanflies into theaters on June 07, 2025.
Follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way in a world that views kindness as old-fashioned.
